APRIL 2, 2007 - Latest gear & setup at the Cypress House
The Cypress House is pleased to announce the addition of world class Weiss ADC1-MK2 analog to digital converters for mixing and mastering. Digital to analog conversion is now being handled Lavry Engineering. The studio also boasts 24 tracks of RADAR, a host of world class microphones, including vintage AKG C12-As and Neumann M582s and MV691s w/ M70, M71, and M58 capsules, a vintage PM-1000 discrete console with custom Cinemag output transformers, and several vintage EQs and compressors from API, Siemens, etc. Our goal is to combine the best of vintage analog and modern digital technology in a relaxed yet creatively charged environment that looks to the local culture and landscape of Southwest Louisiana for its primary inspiration.

FEBRUARY 22, 2007 - The Latest...
Dirk continued his streak of appearing on Grammy winners for the third year in a row in 2007, having played several instruments on Irma Thomas's winner in the Blues category, "After the Rain." In 2006 Dirk was featured on Tim O'Brien's winner in the Traditional Folk category, "Fiddler's Green," and in 2005 he appeared on Loretta Lynn's winner in the Country category, "Van Lear Rose." To appear on these three winners in three separate categories, Blues, Traditional Folk, and Country, and with musicians of the caliber of these artists, is quite an honor.

Martha Scanlan's new release on Sugar Hill Records, The West Was Burning, is receiving wide acclaim. Dirk produced this release, which features Levon Helm, members of Ollabelle, Riley Baugus, and others.

DECEMBER 14, 2006 - Grammy Nods for Dirk Projects!
• Adieu False Heart, recorded in Dirk's studio The Cypress House, receives Best Traditional Folk and Best Engineered Non-Classical Recording Grammy nominations! Congratulations to all involved. We are particularly proud that the audio quality coming out of the studio earned an Engineering Grammy nomination for Gary Paczosa and that the ambience and vibe of the studio produced musical results earning the Folk nod as well. • In other Grammy news, Irma Thomas received a Grammy nomination for her latest album, After The Rain, on which Dirk performed.

MAY 18, 2006 - Happenings of the not too distant past...
• John Doyle and Michael Black, of Ireland’s famous Black Family, were in the studio in April. John’s producing a record for Michael that is already a winner on all fronts. The basic tracks were laid down at the Cypress House, with overdubs taking place in Ireland, Philadelphia, and Chicago  • Rafe Stefanini was also in the studio in April recording his next CD for County Records. His daughter Clelia recorded with him for the first time. It was a great experience  • The Foghorn Stringband were also in the Cypress House working on Dirk’s new record for the Rounder label  • Earlier in the year, the wonderful group from Kentucky, Zoe Speaks, were in, working on their upcoming CD, Drop in the Bucket. It’s a powerful mix of roots Appalachian originals with great grooves and messages throughout  • The Red Stick Ramblers were also back in, working on an upcoming release which should be out before long. The record will feature a 10 minute version of Chas Justus’s opus, The Smeckled Suite, and a lot of great Cajun, Swing, Blues, etc. •  Martha Scanlan was also in working on her upcoming CD, a very powerful mix of her original songs and traditional material. It was recorded at both Levon Helm Studios, in Woodstock, NY, and the Cypress House. Featuring Levon on drums, it’s got incredible soul and feel • Riley Baugus was in working on his upcoming release for Sugar Hill records, co-produced by Grammy winner Tim O’Brien and Dirk. It is a strong, straight-to-the-heart record of the Appalachian music that Riley grew up with.